Recreational Cooler

ABSTRACT

A recreational cooler with a hollow accessory shaft is disclosed. The hollow shaft extends completely through the cooler from top to bottom. The hollowed area of the shaft is completely independent from the product receiving area of the cooler allowing for insertion of recreational cooler accessories. Recreational cooler accessories may include: umbrellas, fishing poles, radios, tables, cooking stands, seats, chairs, beverage bottles, cans, cups, basketball standards, and/or racks for drying beach towels. Two coolers may also be used to support each side of a volleyball net, badminton net, or tennis net.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable container, more particularly an ice chest or cooler for food and beverages.

2. Related Art

Many coolers have been proposed with various accessories and attachments. Examples of such coolers are discussed below, namely:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,507 Nov. 28, 2006 (Maldonado) describes a         cooler with various external attachments including an umbrella         and fishing rod holder. Maldonado describes the problem of         having permanently molded accessories on the side of the cooler         and proposes the solution of external cooler attachments. U.S.         Pat. No. 7,140,507 is hereby incorporated by reference in its         entirety.     -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,733 Mar. 25, 2003 (Sharp) teaches a cooler         with an integrated umbrella stand. This cooler also has the         umbrella attached to the side of the cooler. U.S. Pat. No.         6,536,733 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a cooler with at least one molded accessory shaft, molded completely through the cooler from the top of the cooler to the bottom of the cooler.

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a cooler with a compliant table top that folds out from at least one side of the cooler.

There are accessories which may from time to time be used by the consumer in conjunction with a cooler. For example, coolers are often taken along when fishing. Therefore, it would be advantageous to associate a fishing rod receptacle (molded accessory shaft) with the cooler to hold the fishing rod while the fisherman waits for the fish to bite. Insulated coolers are also taken to the beach where the customer may wish to use a beach umbrella. An umbrella is another accessory capable of using a molded cooler accessory shaft.

As will be appreciated, a variety of accessories may be used in conjunction with molded accessory shafts. By way of example, accessories may include: umbrellas, fishing poles, radios, tables, cooking stands, seats, chairs, beverage bottles, cans, cups, basketball standards, and/or racks for drying beach towels. Two coolers may also be used to support each side of a volleyball net, badminton net, or tennis net.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a game net supported by poles and coolers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a basketball standard inserted into a molded accessory shaft in a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cup holder inserted into a molded accessory shaft in a cooler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S)

Description

As illustrated in FIG. 1, cooler (100) has two large lids (120) and two small lids (130). The small lids (130) either open to a main product receiving compartment area (160) or to an optional chiller compartment (150). The lids (120) and (130) may be form fitted or connected by hinges. The hollow shaft (170) extends all the way through the cooler from one side to the other side and is not in communication with any product receiving compartment areas.

FIG. 2, shows a cross sectional view of cooler (100) showing the optional chiller insert (150). The chiller insert (150) may be made from thermally conductive material such as metal, plastic or any other known thermally conductive material. A first product receiving area is shown at (230). A second product receiving area (220) is inside of chiller (150). The chiller insert may be supported by a molded plastic lip (210) or by many other known methods. The chiller provides a cooled, isolated area away from ice and water in product receiving area (230). Hollow shaft (170) provides sealed passage through cooler (100). Hollow shaft (170) is open on each end so as to allow a rod or pole to extend completely through cooler (100).

FIG. 3, shows a cross sectional view of cooler (100) without the optional chiller (150). Hollow shaft (170) provides sealed passage through cooler (100). The material surrounding hollow shaft (170) may be thermally conductive or thermally insulating depending on the application use of the hollow shaft. Accordingly, the walls surrounding the hollow shaft may be thick or thin depending on application use of the hollow shaft. Some application uses may have specific thermal heat transfer requirements or may have specific mechanical strength requirements.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of cooler (100) showing a cross sectional schematic of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of cooler (100) showing an umbrella pole (510) inserted into hollow shaft (170) and extending completely through cooler (100) and into ground (530). The end (520) of umbrella pole (510) is tapered allowing for easy insertion into hollow shaft (170) and into ground (530).

FIG. 6 shows an umbrella (620) mounted to the side of cooler (100) with mounting brackets (610).

FIGS. 7 and 8 show cooler (750) with a horizontal surface (700) attached to a side of cooler (750) with a hinge mechanism (710). The horizontal surface (700) may be attached to any side of cooler (750). Horizontal surface (700) is supported by support arm (720). Support arm (720) and horizontal surface (700) may be compliant mechanisms. Support arm (720) locks into place (810) by means of a formed fitting impression. Horizontal surface (700) and support arm 720 may fold and rest in a recessed area (740) of any side of cooler (750).

FIGS. 9 and 10 show coolers (100) or (750) with optional wheels (910 and 1010).

FIG. 11 shows coolers (100) supporting a game net (1120) and poles (1110). The net may be used for indoor or outdoor games such as tennis, volleyball, or badminton. Poles (1110) may optionally be pounded into the ground for more support. The poles (1110) are inserted into hollow shafts (170).

FIG. 12 shows cooler (100) with a basketball standard (1210) and pole (1220). Pole (1220) is inserted into hollow shaft (170). Pole (12200 may optionally be pounded into the ground for more support.

FIG. 13 shows a side view of cooler (100) or (750) with cup holder accessory (1340). Cup holder accessory (1340) is made of thermally conductive material (1320) and (1340). Side wall (1350) is also made of thermally conductive material. Heat is transferred from aluminum cans (1310) into thermally conductive material (1320) and (1340) and then into ice in product receiving area (160) through thermally conductive material (1350). An insulating material (1330) is used to keep unwanted heat transfer into thermally conductive material (1320).

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. 

1. A container comprising: a main body having a base wall and four side walls extending from said base wall so as to define a product receiving compartment, each of said walls comprising an insulating material, each of said side walls having a generally flat outer surface and a generally flat inner surface with respect to said product receiving compartment and each of said side walls having an upper edge, said upper edges together defining a top opening of said main body, respectively adjacent said side walls being generally perpendicular to one another; one or more lids for providing access to said product receiving compartment; and at least one hollow shaft extending from said base wall thorough said product receiving compartment, said hollow shaft providing sealed passage through said container.
 2. A container as in claim 1, wherein each of said side walls is of generally equal width such that said main body is of generally square cross-section substantially throughout a height thereof.
 3. A container as in claim 1, wherein said one or more lids are not hingedly attached to one of said side walls.
 4. A container as in claim 1, further comprising a storage compartment defined within said one or more lids and a pivotal cover pivotally attached to the lid so as to selectively close said storage compartment.
 5. A container as in claim 1, further comprising a chiller insert removably seated within said main body.
 6. A container as in claim 1, wherein said hollow shaft is circular.
 7. A container as in claim 1, wherein a cup holder extends through said hollow shaft.
 8. A container as in claim 1, wherein an umbrella pole extends through said hollow shaft.
 9. A container as in claim 1, wherein an umbrella is attached to said outer surface of said container.
 10. A container as in claim 1, wherein a horizontal surface is hingedly attached to said outer surface of said container.
 11. An ice chest comprising: a top; a bottom; a product receiving area between said top and bottom; a hollow shaft connecting said top to said bottom, wherein said hollow shaft defines a sealed communication area through said ice chest, and wherein said sealed communication area is independent of said product receiving area.
 12. An ice chest as in claim 11, further comprising a chiller insert removably seated within said product receiving area.
 13. An ice chest as in claim 11, wherein said hollow shaft is circular.
 14. An ice chest as in claim 11, wherein an umbrella pole extends through said hollow shaft.
 15. An ice chest as in claim 11, wherein said ice chest has wheels.
 16. A game comprising: a net supported by a first pole and a second pole; a first ice chest and a second ice chest, wherein said first ice chest and said second ice chest are configured to receive said first pole or said second pole as a means of supporting said net.
 17. A game as in claim 16, wherein said ice chest has wheels.
 18. A game as in claim 16, wherein said net is a volleyball net or a tennis net.
 19. A game as in claim 16, wherein said net is a badminton net.
 20. A game as in claim 16, wherein said first ice chest and said second ice chest are weighted with ice. 